Abstract
Daniel Duick, MD, FACP, MACE, ECNU
Daniel Duick, beloved physician, teacher, father, and colleague died January 5, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Dr. Duick was a longstanding member of the American Thyroid Association. Dr. Duick trained in endocrinology but pioneered and practiced the art and science of clinical thyroidology. As an Illinois native of Croatian background, his lifelong devotion to science and his solid work ethic left indelible marks on the fields of both endocrinology and clinical thyroidology.
Dr. Duick grew up in Skokie, Illinois, and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in biological sciences. He earned his MD from Northwestern University Medical School, completing residency training at the University of Southern California. His endocrinology background included training at both USC-Los Angeles County Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He served on active duty for two years at Fort Ord, California, attaining the rank of major. During the 70s, he was a staff physician in the Division of Endocrinology at Mayo Clinic Rochester, where he formed many enduring friendships. During his time at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Duick was immersed in early discussions about the clinical utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) for thyroid nodules.
Moving to Arizona, Dr. Duick became director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix. After a number of years in this position, he joined Endocrinology Associates, P.A., also in Phoenix. After the loss of his son, David Emory Duick in 1990, he moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he practiced from 1992 to 1998. He later returned to Endocrinology Associates in Phoenix, where he worked until his retirement in 2018.
Dr. Duick was a charter member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), serving as its president, 2008–2009, and later as president of the American College of Endocrinology, 2010–2011. He was also instrumental in founding the Academy of Clinical Thyroidologists. He knew the rigors of clinical endocrinology practice and early on recognized the lack of a cohesive group among like-minded clinicians. Along with H. Jack Baskin, MD, Duick changed the practice of thyroidology and endocrinology, and it was their early discussions that eventually led to ultrasound certification for endocrinologists.
Duick and others recognized that rapidly evolving medical technology was the future of endocrinology. Through their combined efforts and those of AACE CEO Don Jones, a highly dedicated group of passionate endocrinologists, known as the AACE Endocrine University, was born in 2002. It is estimated that since 2002 more than half of American endocrinologists have participated in the AACE Endocrine University. As part of the ultrasound training of Endocrine University, Duick would often start the course with a “show of hands” of which senior fellows had experience with ultrasound. In the first course held in Rochester, Minnesota, less than a handful raised their hands. At the last Endocrine University Duick helped teach in 2017, virtually all raised their hands.
The impact and legacy of Dr. Duick's teaching changed the management of thyroid disease forever. For many of us, a mentorship that began as a weekend course with Dr. Duick became a lifetime career in clinical thyroidology, and the real-life experiences that Duick so willingly offered complemented the lives of many trainees. Dr. Duick was instrumental in the development of AACE Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU)—a formal pathway to practice accreditation and reimbursement for the quality work performed by endocrinologist physician sonologists. Dr. Duick contributed his expertise to four editions of Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided FNA, now translated into many languages and used the world over.
Although Dr. Duick authored many publications on thyroid ultrasound, FNA biopsy, and molecular studies, his greatest legacy was his willingness to share his knowledge with others. Many will recall his ending a discussion with the single word—“doyouseewhatImean?”
Dr. Duick's dedication to the art of thyroid ultrasound and clinical thyroidology was evidenced by his enthusiasm to teach. He pressed on teaching toward the end of his career, even with health issues of his own and of his beloved wife of 57 years, Diane Elizabeth Duick. Mrs. Duick died in 2021. It is most difficult to summarize the full impact that Dr. Dan Duick had on his family, his community, his peers, his profession and his faith. Perhaps his formal obituary summed up his life best: He loved science and teaching, moreover, he loved to learn and continued expanding his knowledge his entire life. He will be remembered by his family, lifelong friends, and colleagues for his humor, intellect, and compassion. His ability to understand the human state and the human being while being empathetic in sharing his knowledge made him beloved by his family, friends, colleagues, and patients.